@rabbialanbright: In traditional Jewish law, a married woman covers her hair as an expression of tzniut, modesty and dignity. The practice is rooted in halachic sources derived from the Torah and elaborated upon in the Talmud. In the Torah, the term “Isha” can simply mean “woman,” but in certain contexts it refers specifically to a married woman. From this and other verses, the sages derive that a married woman’s hair is considered part of her personal modesty and therefore traditionally covered in public. Hair covering is not about shame or erasure. It is understood as a marker of marital status and as a way of reserving a certain dimension of intimacy for the private sphere of marriage. In Orthodox communities, women may cover their hair with a scarf, hat, or sheitel, depending on custom. It is true that not all Jewish communities or movements view this as obligatory. But from a traditional Orthodox perspective, hair covering is a sign of commitment, modesty, and the sanctity of marriage.

Rabbi Alan Bright

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Wednesday 18 February 2026 02:44:08 GMT